Jeff Bednar is the challenging candidate for City Council Ward 3

Q. If, as expected, the state reduces financial aid to cities, it might mean less money for Austin. What city programs or services would you recommend cutting to reduce Austin’s overall expenditures?
A. My goal would be not to cut city services. We need to look at all the non-essential programs and move out from there to all departments.

Q. How do you plan to promote job creation and employment growth as a member of the city council?
A. We have to promote the Job Z program. With a large volume of space vacant in the city we could shift Job Z acres to other areas for prospective employers.

Q. The city council has been faulted for getting too involved in management of some city departments, specifically the police and fire departments. What do you think the council’s role should be in providing oversight of those and other city operations?
A. We need to rely on on the city administrator to regulate the departments. If there is an issue after the fact, we need to act in an educated and responsible manner.

Q. Austin was recently awarded a $5 million grant for flood mitigation. Other than the projects this grant will fund, do you have any ideas for future flood mitigation projects? If so, what are they?
A. A huge thanks to city staff for securing these grants. In the future we need to pair with the county to create water holding areas north of Austin to retain some of the runoff from large rain events.

Q. Why do you believe you are the best choice to represent Austin on the city council

A. With a construction and development background, I feel I can make sound decisions on all the upcoming flood control and city projects.